Table of contents
- Latest Mass Destruction Supplement Lawsuit Updates
- December 23, 2013: FDA Warns Consumers to Stop Using Mass Destruction
- What Is Mass Destruction?
- Who May Be Affected?
- Reported Injuries or Damages
- Recall and Regulatory Background
- Evidence to Preserve
- Filing Deadlines
- Frequently Asked Questions
- What Did the FDA Say About Mass Destruction?
- How Do I Report a Problem with Mass Destruction?
- Does the FDA Review Dietary Supplements Before Sale?
- What Does the Research Say About Anabolic Steroid Supplements?
In December 2013, the FDA told people to stop taking Mass Destruction, a muscle-growth supplement made for Blunt Force Nutrition and sold in retail stores, fitness gyms and online. It said it is labeled to contain a synthetic anabolic steroid.
The warning followed a report of a healthy 28-year-old man whose liver failed after several weeks of use. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services made the report.
No lawsuit, recall or MDL names Mass Destruction. The FDA said anyone using it should stop immediately, and anyone with unexplained fatigue, pain or other health changes should see a health care professional.
Latest Mass Destruction Supplement Lawsuit Updates
December 23, 2013: FDA Warns Consumers to Stop Using Mass Destruction
The FDA warned consumers to stop using Mass Destruction, HealthDay reported [1]. It said anyone currently using it should stop immediately.
A state health department had reported one man’s liver failure after several weeks of use, and he needed a transplant. The FDA said it was trying to identify the manufacturer. An investigation was under way.
What Is Mass Destruction?
Mass Destruction is a muscle-growth supplement. OH&S reports it is made for Blunt Force Nutrition in Sims, N.C. [2]. It is sold in retail stores, fitness gyms and online.
The FDA Consumer Update says bodybuilding products are often promoted as alternatives to anabolic steroids [3]. Some may illegally contain steroids. Anabolic steroids are synthetic hormones related to the male hormone testosterone.
Who May Be Affected?
People who took Mass Destruction are the group the FDA’s warning addressed. That includes anyone who later had unexplained fatigue, abdominal or back pain, or discolored urine.
The FDA said anyone with those signs, or any other unexplained change in health, should consult a health care professional.
The FDA’s later bodybuilding update lists more warning signs: nausea, weakness, fever, chest pain, shortness of breath and jaundice. Jaundice is a yellowing of the skin or the whites of the eyes.
Whether you have a claim depends on your own facts, and an individual legal review would look at when and how you used the product and your medical records.
Reported Injuries or Damages
The FDA warning rests on a regulator’s report. It is not a complaint. The FDA said liver injury is generally known to be a possible outcome of using steroid products.
In 2013 the FDA said the product’s ingredients were undergoing further analysis. The FDA Consumer Update on bodybuilding products says it is aware of adverse event reports, including some showing serious liver injury.
That update links steroids to severe acne, hair loss, altered mood, aggression, depression and sexual dysfunction. It also lists kidney damage, heart attack and stroke. It lists pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis too.
Health Canada also lists liver damage among the risks of anabolic steroids [4]. These are reports and warnings. They do not prove that Mass Destruction caused any one injury.
Recall and Regulatory Background
Mass Destruction has not been recalled, and the FDA’s action was a consumer warning. Anyone who had a problem is advised to report it to the FDA’s MedWatch program [5].
Evidence to Preserve
Records about the product and your health can matter later. Keep these items if you have them:
- The product bottle or container and its label
- The lot number, purchase receipts or order confirmations
- Photographs of the product
- The name of the store, gym or website where you bought it
- Medical records, liver test results and doctor notes
- A record of the dates and doses you took
- Messages with the seller
- Any adverse event report you filed
Filing Deadlines
Filing deadlines come from state law. They vary with where you live and when the injury and its diagnosis happened, so two people may face different time limits.
A missed deadline can end a claim even when the facts are strong, which is why timing matters from the start.
A prompt check with a lawyer matters. A lawyer can tell you which state’s deadline applies to your situation and how much time is left.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Did the FDA Say About Mass Destruction?
The FDA’s statement about Mass Destruction came from Howard Sklamberg. He directs the Office of Compliance in the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. He said: “Products marketed as supplements that contain anabolic steroids pose a real danger to consumers.”
How Do I Report a Problem with Mass Destruction?
To report a problem with Mass Destruction, send a report to the FDA MedWatch Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program. You can also call the FDA at 1-888-INFO-FDA (1-888-463-6332). Have the product name and your dates of use ready.
Does the FDA Review Dietary Supplements Before Sale?
The FDA does not review dietary supplements for safety and effectiveness before they can be marketed. Its bodybuilding update makes this point while warning consumers about products that may contain hidden steroids.
What Does the Research Say About Anabolic Steroid Supplements?
Research summarized in the FDA’s release says long-term anabolic steroid use may affect blood fat levels. Women may become more masculine, men may have breast enlargement or infertility, and steroids can affect children’s growth.